stKilda Times St Kilda Historical Society Newsletter Issue No 223 December 2017 www.stkildahistory.org.au

SKHS Collection

The Skaters of St Moritz: Pat and Graham Argue

rom the moment 13-year old Pat Longden stepped Figure staking, in onto the ice at St Moritz, her goal was to be a figure particular, was very Fskater. She had learnt to roller skate in Broken Hill, but popular. The 9.00 when she moved to Robe Street, St Kilda, it was the ice that pm and 10.00pm fascinated her. Dancing Closures Pat would often pause outside the St Moritz ice skating rink brought together to smell the cold air and imagine what it would be like inside. the figure skaters Her aunt bought her a second-hand pair of skates and her and the ice hockey mum’s new partner, a season’s ticket. “Probably to get me out players, thanks to of the house,” she jokes. If that was the case, it worked. Pat Canadian coach, went every night, skating round and around with ease and Ross Carson, who grace that came naturally. She loved the feel of the ice. “Ice- insisted his men skating was quite different to roller skating. It was more fluid; join the dancing the skates would do the work.” because “it was good for their Pat and Graham in Sonja Henie’s Holiday on Ice Pairs 1956. She took lessons. Pat’s first teacher was Mardi Kendall edge”. and then Wendy Lee, “the daughter of Harry Jacobs who staged the pre-movie performances at the Palais Theatre “Many couples met at St Moritz,” Pat recalls. “If you liked down the road,” she explains. Committed and talented, it someone, you would skate next to them. You would skate all wasn’t long before Pat achieved her silver medal in figure night with whomever you fancied. Ice hockey player, Lindsay skating. Fox, met his wife, Paula, skating at St Mortiz.” Pat remembers St Moritz as the centre of the social life of the St Kilda’s first female Mayor, Elaine Miller (1982-1983), met 1940s/50s in St Kilda. Ice-skating was already a popular her husband Rob Miller at St Moritz in the 1950s. She was a social activity when St Moritz Ice Palace opened in 1939. councillor of the City of St Kilda between 1976 and 1990, Quickly the new ice rink became a place where young people and Mayor again in 1987-88. met and courted. It was also where, during the war years, visiting soldiers and sailors would come to unwind. continued on page 2 continued from page 1 And Pat Longden met her future husband, Graham Argue, there in 1947 when she was 16 and he 18. Graham would become an ice hockey legend, Pat a celebrated ice show skater and choreographer. By the age of 18 Pat was teaching ice- ballet exercises and, in particular, posture, to young girls at St Moritz. “If you’re a girl taking up skating,” she told The Sun in July 1949, “you should pay special attention to your carriage,” and she stressed that dancing on ice requires hard regular practice. Under Wendy Lee’s direction they produced an ice show at St Moritz every Christmas, including one with Swedish skater, Freddy Olsen. “We danced together to the song I do like to be beside the Seaside,” Pat recalls. St Moritz Skaters 1939 – SKHS Collection And then David Martin brought Armand Perren’s Ice Follie 1950 to Australia – the first ice When Pat married Graham at Christ Church, St Kilda in show to tour in a decade. It opened at His Majesty’s Theatre 1952 he converted to ice dancing, albeit briefly. in Melbourne on 8 April, followed by a stint at St Kilda’s Graham had played senior ice hockey for the Demons Palais Theatre in June, before travelling to Adelaide, Perth, (1948-49) and was a member of the first Australian Ice Brisbane and Sydney. The Adelaide Advertiser reported Hockey Team to defeat the European All-Stars (Raiders) with excitement that “forty international skating champions 4-3 in 1948. He moved to the Blackhawks in 1950 and to from Austria, Belgium, England, France, Italy, Holland, the Pirates in 1951. He helped Victoria win the 1951 Norway, Hungary, Switzerland and Australia will appear in Goodall Cup (3-1), scoring one of its goals. the spectacular revue Ice Follies of 1950” (14 June, 1950, p.10) Pat and Graham performed together across Australia and New Zealand in Armand Perren’s International Ice Review, Pat auditioned at the Melbourne Glaciarium in City Road, South Melbourne and was one of only six Australian skaters chosen for the tour. “I remember that audition,” she smiles “because somebody stole my shoes!” The follies tour ran for almost three years, breaking all previous Australian entertainment records.

Pat dancing with Freddy Olsen at St Moritz Ice Review, 1948. Pat on UK tour of White Horse Inn on Ice, London 1954.

2 SKHS Newsletter • December 2017 followed by national tour of Hot Ice. In 1954 they sailed for England, SKHS arriving with just 10 pounds. They auditioned successfully for the UK CONTACTs tour of White Horse Inn on Ice, but left OFFICE within a few months for Gothenburg, St Kilda Library by appt. Sweden to join Holiday on Ice with 150 Carlisle Street Sonja Henie. Balaclava 3183 The highlight of Pat’s figure skating Mail: PO Box 177 career was skating with Sonja, whose Balaclava VIC 3183 movie star photo had graced the (03) 9209 6866 marble steps landing at St Moritz and had been an inspiration to a generation [email protected] of young St Kilda ice dancers. www.stkildahistory.org.au The Argues toured Europe and then flickr.com/photos/ Pat on tour in South Africa with Sonja Henie’s Holiday stkildahistory South Africa with Sonja for almost on Ice 1956. three years, until Pat returned to facebook.com/stkildahistory Melbourne to have their first baby, Greg. When Graham finished the tour, they settled in Elwood and had two more children, David and Michelle, while pinterest.com/stkildahistory continuing their passion for ice-skating. twitter.com/stkildahist Pat skated in the St Moritz ice ballets devised by Nancy Burley and televised live on ABC TV from 1957 to 1962/3. Graham pursued his ice-hockey career. He Inquiries/Appointments/ played a total of 123 games in the Ice Hockey League, was involved in assembling Membership: the Demons victorious team of 1977, and instrumental in establishing the old- Elizabeth Burns: 0402 211 529 Helen Halliday: 0448 422 002 timer’s league, the Melbourne Nite Owls. In July 1971 the Argues opened their own skating rink in Oakleigh South – the Committee of Olympic Ice Skating Centre. There, Pat directed and choreographed thirteen Management 2017-2018 President: Jennifer Stone ice revues with world champions, such as Olympians Donald Jackson, Scott Vice President: Helen Halliday Hamilton, Dianne de Leeu, and a cast of two hundred skaters. The Argues also Acting Secretary: Phillip Stewart directed and choreographed mobile ice shows for major shopping centres and Treasurer: Elizabeth Burns for the Moomba Festival, as well as shows at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl for Ordinary Members: the Victorian Arts Centre. Maureen Walker Peter Tapp Graham died in 1993. Pat’s fondest memory is of a moonlit night at Ken Norling Mt Buller, a few years earlier, skating alone with Graham on a public rink they had set up, by invitation, on the tennis court of the Grollo family ski lodge. “It was a clear, cold night. We skated round and around for ages under the full moon. Just the two of us.”  By Krystyna Kynst With thanks to Tim Swampy, St Kilda Images and Stories. Did you skate at St Moritz? Share your stories and photos on our Facebook page. Our new Logo Our revamped logo embraces the old The St Moritz Skating Lady City of St Kilda logo, kindly donated to the St Kilda Historical Society by the now The St Moritz neon skating lady is City of Port Phillip. enclosed in a clear box. She is stored in the basement of the St Kilda Library, St Kilda Historical Society (SKHS) awaiting her new home in the foyer of Established 1970 preserving the past to the City of Port Phillip’s office, across enrich the future the road. Plans are being prepared to reinforce the hanging wall for the weight of the neon sign and its enclosure. When installed the Ice Skating Lady will be lit up permanently, powered by the sun from the building’s The St Moritz Skating Ladies reunite in the basement of the St Kilda Library. Pat Argue 2017. rooftop solar panels. SKHS thanks Port Phillip City for its ongoing support and assistance

SKHS Newsletter • December 2017 3 Remembering Carlo Catani (1852 - 1918)

Next year we remember Carlo Catani whose vision has defined St Kilda’s foreshore for over 100 years.

arlo Catani was the Chief the Society attended the first meeting from our collection, as well as photos Engineer of the Public Works of interested organisations (including held by the Heritage Centre and the CDepartment, Victoria. As Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water, State Library of Victoria. Also, in the engineer and landscaper, his influence VicRoads, Museo Italiano and the pipeline is a possible collaboration stretches across Melbourne (Alexandra City of Port Phillip) to plan with the Museo Italiano in Carlton to Avenue and its Gardens, Elwood commemorative activities that will honour Catani’s work across Victoria. Canal) and regional Victoria showcase his legacy and pay tribute to (Mt Buffalo, Koo Wee Rup). his style. Catani Online However, it is most felt in St Kilda We’ll have a dedicated page on our The Society’s plans are already well website and we’d love to hear your where, as part of the Foreshore advanced, with: Committee, he created our famous stories and feature your photos of strolling district and leisure precinct, Catani Talks 2018 Catani’s St Kilda. What do you love with its open lawns, sloping pathways, Heritage architect and Lake Ward (or not) about his legacy? Do you lava rock walls, planted gardens and a Councillor, David Brand, will take us stroll along the Esplanade? Sit on the grand European promenade with on a photographic journey to explore grass slopes? Play in Catani Gardens? spectacular views. the Italian influences on Catani’s Check the time on Catani’s clock? Meander down to the beach through “One man’s name is indissolubly work. the landscaped pathways below the linked with the beautification of the Author and historian, Daniela Volpe, clock tower? Watch the sun set from St Kilda foreshore. No description of will speak about Catani’s life and his the Catani Arch? What is your the beauties of the foreshore at journey to Australia, based on her favourite Catani feature?  St Kilda can hereafter be complete, book “From Tuscany to Victoria: the without mention of the creator of its life and work of Pietro Baracchi, Send in your images and stories or share charming shorescapes, Carlo Catani”. Carlo Catani, Ettore Checchi.” on our Facebook page and Pinterest. (Cooper, John Butler, History of St Kilda Vol II, p 228) Catani Exhibitions 2018 In July we will mount a Catani in 2018 will mark 100 years since St Kilda exhibition showcasing photos Catani’s death (20 July). In November

4 SKHS Newsletter • December 2017 The Esplanade c 1960s - SKHS Collection

Landscaped Pathways c1920s - SKHS Collection

“He saw the possibilities to which others were blind” Mr H. O. Allan, secretary of the Foreshore Committee, Cooper Vol II, p 228

Above: The Esplanade Retaining Wall, c1920s (late) - Cooper II, p 150 Left: The Esplanade Retaining Wall The Esplanade, c1918 - SKHS Collection 2017.

Above: Grass Slopes c1940s - SLV image H32492/1974 Left: Grass Slopes 2017.

St Kilda foreshore c1930s (late) - SKHS Collection

SKHS Newsletter • December 2017 5 An eventful year he St Kilda Historical Society has completed a Farewell and Thank you successful and eventful year, culminating in our TAnnual General Meeting held at Alliance Francaise St Kilda, which featured a fascinating talk by David Dufty on code breakers working in our area around St Kilda during World War ll. There were many achievements for the Society this year. There has been major work done during the year to update the Society’s website. This has included efforts to make it more accessible to the general public, by streamlining current log-ins, and removing some pay walls. Work has also been done to improve the Newsletter, which is very ably overseen by Krystyna Kynst, and includes a group of much-valued contributors. Dorothy Lobert Janet Beeston The Society has provided a program of interesting events and talks for members and the general public during the Halliday, who was recently awarded the OAM for services year, and will continue to do so. We also built on, and to the community of Port Phillip, will continue on the brought to fruition, successful projects from the previous committee as a major force for ideas and change and year, including Krystyna Kynst’s valuable research on the innovation. Ken Norling will continue in his valuable role Esplanade Hotel Campaign, – available on the Society’s as website manager, working with Peter Tapp, bringing in website and as an iBook, – and also Dr Judith Buckrich’s changes to improve efficiency and accessibility. much anticipated, recently released book on the history of Acland Street. We also welcome a new member to the committee, Maureen Walker, a local historian, who has contributed to This year, also, we joined the social media conversation the Society for many years, especially in putting up our with our very own Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter displays in the foyer of the St Kilda library. Maureen’s accounts. excellent history of the St Kilda Uniting Church, Plans for the year ahead are well under way. There have Campaigns, Causes and Commitments, was recently been significant changes in the executive of the Society’s published to deserved acclaim. Maureen is very familiar committee. with the Society’s collection, housed at the St Kilda Library, Jennifer Stone, who joined the committee earlier in the and she is the ideal person to assess and curate it. year, has accepted the position of President. She has lots of For the year ahead, priority will be given to the ongoing energy, and fresh ideas, and this is already having a positive updating of the web site, and efforts to make it more effect on the direction in which we are moving, for the efficient and user friendly. With Peter Tapp, we will Society to be relevant and effective in the community. She explore creating local history projects for primary and has already set us up on Social Media. secondary school students. We will also work on creating Our long term Secretary Dorothy Lobert has recently interactive components on the website. As we have over resigned, and her shoes will be very difficult to fill. She has the years, we will continue to seek out, support and ably fulfilled this role for twelve years, and will be much develop local history projects, and to foster interest in the missed, but we trust that she will enjoy her well-earned rest built history of the city. We will revisit and support the after these years of diligence and hard work. Her position creation of an app by Peter Tapp, which will give will be temporarily occupied by Phillip Stewart, who will information on many and varied places in St Kilda. We be working with several other committee members to keep will also work to form links with other history groups in things running smoothly. the City of Port Phillip. Maureen Walker, as mentioned earlier, will work to review, assess and rationalise the We were also very sorry to lose our Treasurer Janet Beeston, Society’s collection. a Heritage Architect, whose work load in her full time job has increased, leaving less time than she wished to give to Our new, revitalised committee is looking forward to the the Society. Like Dorothy, Janet will also be much missed, year ahead, and we also look forward to members of the but her level headedness and hard work have been much Society participating and contributing to our activities and appreciated over the years. events in this coming year.  By Phillip Stewart Our new Treasurer will be Elizabeth Burns, who has been our busy and hard working president in the last year. Helen

6 SKHS Newsletter • December 2017 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda – SKHS Collection

Protecting our built heritage Our current pressing project is to convince the City of and we see it as an opportunity to involve the community, Port Phillip to commission a new Heritage Review of the including running workshops during the review/s. former City of St Kilda area, in particular St Kilda Hill. Areas most in need of updating: Development is currently putting massive pressure on heritage buildings and precincts. We have recently seen Major Precincts this in the demolition of the 1853 Greyhound Hotel, HO5 – St Kilda Hill which astonishingly had no heritage protection. HO7 – St Kilda, Elwood, Balaclava, Ripponlea In our letter to the Mayor and Councillors, we raised HO8 – Elwood (Glen Huntly Road) concerns that the last review is now out of date, Smaller precincts inadequate, and in many instances inaccurate. Our area has a rich building history that deserves coding and HO315 – Inkerman Street (East) citations in line with current standards for heritage HO316 – Carlisle Street (East) review. We have offered our assistance to provide HO317 – Hotham Street, Balaclava photographic and other information from our collection HO318 – Brighton Road, Elwood 

Our own ‘Bletchley Park’ In October, Canberra based author David Dufty entertained us with stories about secret code breakers working in our neighbourhood during World War II. Victoria Barracks in St Kilda Road and the art deco Monterey in Queens Road opposite Albert Park, housed our very own ‘Bletchley Park’ (the famous British WWII code-breakers headquarters). The sophisticated skills of the code-breakers, many of whom were women, played a vital role in the battles of Midway, Milne Bay, the Coral Sea, Hollandia, and Leyte. Their secret work changed the course of the war in the Pacific, including bringing down the Japanese bomber carrying the commander-in-chief of Japan’s naval fleet, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. 

David Dufty in conversation with Carmel Shute about his new book The Secret Code Breakers of Central Bureau. Photo: Krystyna Kynst Carmel and David. Photo: Jennifer Stone

SKHS Newsletter • December 2017 7 Acland Street Launches into History

Audience at the St Kilda Army and Navy Club. Photo: Carmel Shute

Judith Buckrich. udith Buckrich’s eagerly awaited history of Acland Photo: Carmel Shute Street is out! Acland Street: The Grand Lady of St Kilda Jwas launched at the St Kilda Army and Navy Club (in Acland Street, of course) on 23 November 2017, by St Kilda identity and Rockwiz host, Brian Nankervis, in front of a 200-strong cheering crowd. St Kilda Historical Society has supported Judith’s project from the beginning, awarding her a $3,000 seeding grant, and sponsoring her to secure a further $5,000 from City of Port Phillip grant program. The lavishly-illustrated, hardcover book explores the history of Acland Street since it became St Kilda’s first named street in 1842, taking its name from Thomas Dyce Acland, the owner of the schooner Lady of St Kilda which gave its name to the suburb. The book is available locally at Readings in Acland Street and via publisher ATOM website. 

Brian Nankervis. Photo: Carmel Shute

Proud Mum, Erika Buckrich. Photo: Carmel Shute

8 SKHS Newsletter • December 2017